Thoughts on Byram & Greenway Joining the Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks were part of a blockbuster trade on Jun. 23, just a few days before the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. The deal involved acquiring defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the Hawks’ 2026 No. 4 and No. 45 selections, plus defenseman Louis Crevier. While many pundits feel the organization gave up a lot for the return, the Blackhawks felt it was worth it to obtain an experienced young defenseman who can grow with the roster already in place.

Byram met with the media on Jun. 24 (Tuesday) for his introductory press conference. Here are some takeaways from his interview, as well as thoughts on the other piece in the trade, depth forward Greenway.

Byram Excited to Join Blackhawks

Byram expressed he’s super excited to join the Blackhawks and have the opportunity to be a No. 1 defenseman with the club. It turns out he’s been a big fan of the Blackhawks since he was young. “My dad played in the organization, and it’s always kind of…I felt like the place that I wanted to end up. So, super excited to be a part of the team. I just think it’s very, an attractive place for me. I feel like I’ll get the opportunity to play and do what I can to help the team improve and help the team win.”

The blueliner also gave some fun insight into why the Blackhawks were a team he rooted for growing up.

I’m from Western Canada, I’m from BC, so when I was real young growing up, I was a Canucks fan. And then the Canucks seemed to always lose to the Hawks in the playoffs. So, being a young kid, I found that was the perfect team to cheer for. And, obviously, everyone knows the success the team was having during that time. They were probably the best team in hockey for, I don’t know how long – six or seven, eight years. They’re really exciting team to watch, and some of the best players, so an easy team to root for.

Obviously, Byram is motivated to be joining the team he loved when he was a kid.

What Byram Brings to the Blackhawks

The 25-year-old further commented on what he felt he could bring to the team.

I’m a two-way defenseman, I transport the puck. I can move the puck, whether it’s passing the puck up the ice or move my feet and using my skating to transport it. I think I can help the power play, but I also think I’m a good defender. I feel like I use my feet to defend and close quickly and try to kill plays.

I don’t take it lightly. I know that Chicago is a really good place to play, a great organization. So, I’m proud to put the Blackhawks jersey on.

Byram also discussed helping out on the power play. “I feel like over the last year or so I’ve had a little bit more of an opportunity on the power play in Buffalo. Nothing crazy, but it’s something that I’m going to continue to work on and try to help the Hawks’ power play grow and develop into one of the best in the NHL.”

He said he felt he was ready for the opportunity to have more responsibility, and that it was a great feeling to have the Blackhawks believe in him.

How Byram Can Help the Young Defensive Corps

It’s well known the Blackhawks have a very young defensive group, so bringing in an established D-man to help and support them makes a lot of sense. The upside is Byram is still young himself, so he can easily relate to them.

I feel like it took me probably two or three years to truly feel comfortable playing in the NHL…You kind of put the NHL on a pedestal for so long growing up, and you put these guys that play in the NHL on a pedestal for so long. And then you get there, it’s kind of hard to believe that you’re there, maybe hard to believe that you can play there. So, I think a lot of it’s just confidence. I was very lucky to have some extremely good leaders and teammates at the start of my career in Denver, guys that helped me out a ton. Not only with hockey, but just with life in general, and being a good pro; taking care of your body, working on your game, things like that.

It’s encouraging to hear Byram talk about it taking two to three years to really feel comfortable, considering Artyom Levshunov played in just 68 games last season (86 NHL games altogether), and Sam Rinzel suited up for only 54 games last year (63 games altogether). Byram, meanwhile, has six seasons under his belt, including 40 playoff contests and winning a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22. He can provide invaluable experience for a D-core that’s mostly just getting started of their NHL path.

The Bedard/Byram Connection

Blackhawks’ superstar Bedard and Byram already have some background with each other. They’ve skated together in Vancouver during the offseasons, as well as playing together in the 2020-21 Junior World Championships for Canada.

The two had a phone call right after the trade went down. “I guess we’re just both excited,” said Byram. “I’m super excited to get the opportunity to play with him. Everyone knows how good of a player he is, and I’ll do my best to contribute to his success and the team’s success however I can.”

Which is a perfect segue to my next section.

What About an Elite Winger for Bedard?

A huge sticking point with this trade was that the Blackhawks used some hefty assets (namely their 2026 fourth overall pick) to acquire a defenseman, giving them less options to attain an elite winger to be a running mate with Bedard.

But with the San Jose Sharks recently acquiring the ninth overall selection in exchange for top forward William Eklund, plus trading for defenseman Michael Kesselring from the Buffalo Sabres, the writing is on the wall they will likely use their No. 2 selection to draft top forward prospect Ivar Stenberg. The Vancouver Canucks are projected to take Caleb Malhotra, leaving the Blackhawks out of luck on obtaining a top-name forward in the draft. So, why not use it for a puck-moving defenseman, someone who can contribute right away?

In his own press conference with the media, general manager Kyle Davidson mentioned Roman Kantserov and Anton Frondell as players the organization is very excited about. Frondell might be pegged as the second line center for now, but that could always change. Kantserov is unproven, but hopes are high he’ll make an immediate impact.

Besides, I have a feeling Davidson might still have something else up his sleeve. He still has tons of draft assets at his disposal, and he showed with the trade of Crevier he’s not opposed to moving some of the team’s young talent if the right situation came about.

We’ll have to see if anything comes to fruition through the draft and free agency.  

Greenway Brings Grit

Finally, forgotten in this trade is a proven forward coming to Chicago in 29-year-old Greenway. He’s not a top-six forward, but he fits the bill for another thing on the Blackhawks’ wish list, a hard-nosed and gritty player.

Greenway is 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, by the way. He missed time in the middle of the season due to a lingering sports hernia injury, but his latest rehab seemed to work. He skated in seven games at the end of the season, as well as all 13 of the Sabre’s playoff games. In 40 regular season contests, Greenway contributed a healthy 57 hits and 22 blocked shots while averaging 12:27 minutes of ice time. He’s also a regular contributor on the penalty kill. Said Byram of his teammate,

He’s a big physical forward. He plays the game hard. He’ll fight, he hits, he’s protects the puck really well down low. I think it’s a good addition as well for the Hawks. I feel like the team could use some size and grit, and just some other aspects of the game too, which Greener all brings. So, I know I talked to him briefly last night, and he’s super excited to be heading to Chicago as well.

The Blackhawks do need more physicality in their lineup, and size as well. They also could use an intimidating figure to protect their more talented skaters. Greenway could certainly offer all that.

While it might not have been the big splash Blackhawks’ fans were looking for, this trade could bring a lot of value to the Blackhawks. They’re gaining an experienced, big-name defenseman and a gritty depth forward. Both can help the team right away. Time will tell what kind of impact these two new players will make. But there’s not doubt the additions of Byram, and Greenway, will improve this team.